Carbone Denounces Hobbs' Veto of Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Bill

State Representative Michael Carbone (R-25) recently issued a statement denouncing Governor Katie Hobbs' (D-AZ) decision to veto a bill that would accelerate the construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), saying her veto "misses the mark."

House Bill 2774 would have reduced the bureaucratic oversight necessary for large-scale industrial energy users, such as advanced manufacturing facilities and data centers, to build small modular reactors (SMRs) for their facilities.

Specifically, constructing these SMRs would not require a new Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) if the reactor is colocated with a large industrial energy user.

"Governor Hobbs' veto misses the mark," said Rep. Carbone, adding, "HB2774 wasn't just about small modular reactors—it was about supporting rural Arizonans by helping rural communities attract new businesses like data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities that create jobs and generate property tax revenue for rural counties—areas that are often overlooked by statewide economic development efforts."

After all, Arizona is quickly becoming a new hub of manufacturing, especially as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a massive $100 billion investment in the Grand Canyon State in March.

"While the bill anticipated the future viability of new nuclear technologies, its primary purpose was to harness the potential of these new technologies to incentivize major employers to locate in rural areas," Rep. Carbone continued, saying the bill sought to recognize "that access to energy is a key barrier, and that big tech companies are increasingly seeking their own nuclear energy sources."

"With her veto, Governor Hobbs turned her back on rural Arizona and sent a clear message that she's content with the status quo as jobs and revenues continue flowing to central Arizona," the Buckeye Representative concluded.

Last week, Gov. Hobbs vetoed four other bills about parental rights, vaccine requirements, election reform, and single-sex spaces, which garnered the condemnation of State Representative Lisa Fink (R-27).

Like Carbone, Rep. Fink said, "These bills reflect what most Arizonans believe: parents should be informed, adults should have medical freedom, voters should prove citizenship, and the law should acknowledge biological reality."

"But instead of standing with parents, students, and Arizona voters, Katie Hobbs chose to stand with bureaucrats and far-left special interests. Her vetoes are a direct insult to the values of informed consent, election integrity, and scientific truth," Fink added.