Why HB 2795 Matters: Zoning, Local Control, and Small Modular Reactors in Rural Arizona

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman sits down in the House Majority Leader's office with House Majority Leader Michael Carbone to discuss HB 2795, a bill aimed at clearing the path for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Arizona.   Carbone frames SMRs as a modern, proven technology—often misunderstood because of old associations with incidents like Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. He argues today's advanced nuclear systems are fundamentally different, emphasizing their long-standing use in military applications and the role they could play in Arizona's energy future.   The conversation digs into why SMRs are being discussed now: grid reliability, increasing demand from data centers, the growth of electrification (including EVs), and the high costs and challenges of expanding transmission infrastructure. Birdman highlights the potential advantages of SMRs compared to large-scale wind and solar projects, including a smaller land footprint, greater consistency, and the ability to locate generation closer to demand—especially in rural communities where transmission access can be a limiting factor.   Carbone also addresses local control and zoning, describing pushback from counties and cities and frustration with last-minute objections rather than early collaboration. He argues that if a project meets rigorous federal requirements, Arizona should reduce duplicative barriers and signal that the state is "open for business." The discussion includes broader policy tensions around energy, regulation, and how political dynamics can turn technical infrastructure solutions into partisan fights.   This episode is a deep dive into Arizona energy policy, small modular reactors, local zoning battles, data center growth, grid modernization, and the future of clean baseload power—and why HB 2795 may become a key flashpoint as Arizona plans for long-term demand.   🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.   🌐 Official Site: https://birdman.media       Support Our Sponsors     This episode is brought to you with the support of our premium sponsor:   Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation   Supporting our sponsors helps keep Birdman Media™ independent and producing the content others won't.     © Birdman Media™. All rights reserved.