WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after introducing legislation, H.R. 6491, which would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey land to La Paz County, Arizona, in order to create economic development opportunities and facilitate renewable electricity generation for the western United States:
Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after introducing legislation, H.R. 6491, which would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey land to La Paz County, Arizona, in order to create economic development opportunities and facilitate renewable electricity generation for the western United States:
“The potential for renewable energy development throughout the West has never been greater. When advancing such opportunities we must pursue a balanced approach that partners with local stakeholders and isn’t dependent on federal subsidies. The massive size of the federal estate poses real challenges for some western counties, including La Paz County in my home state of Arizona. This creates a serious economic challenge for local governments that desperately lack the tax base to support basic public services.
“H.R. 6491 addresses these obstacles by initiating a land exchange between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and La Paz County, Arizona that will create jobs, support a true all-of-the-above energy strategy and empower local communities. I applaud Supervisor Irwin and the County for their great work in helping craft this commonsense legislation.”
Following the introduction of H.R. 6491, La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin stated, “This legislation is the result of a bottom-up approach, driven by La Paz County officials and others interested in balancing critical economic development concerns with our public lands in Arizona. Congressman Gosar has delivered on his commitment to help our rural, Arizona County through legislation that seeks to create an economic development zone through the County’s ability to purchase 8,800 acres (less than .005%) from the more than 1,848,763 millions of acres controlled by the BLM in our jurisdiction. Congressman Gosar recognizes the challenges inherent to almost 95% of the County’s land being owned by Federal, State and Tribal governments and has championed a legislative effort that if successful could jumpstart our economy and attract new industries.”
La Paz County currently is working with Congressman Paul Gosar, from the Fourth Congressional District in Arizona, to request the purchase of 8,000+ acres of property from the BLM with the intent to develop large scale, solar generation facilities. The La Paz County Board of Supervisors’ intent is to create long-term, lease contracts with renewable energy project developers that respond to national demand to increase renewable power generation while also helping to create new sources of revenue to address the economic challenges inherent to a jurisdiction with almost 95% of the County’s property owned by Federal, State or Tribal governments.
There are a number of precedents setting examples of other Western Counties using legislation to seek the conveyance of federal lands to stimulate economic development in rural locations. La Paz County proposes to use a similar process to acquire a large parcel of property that could interconnect with the Ten West Link currently being proposed to transect La Paz County.
