In a move to encourage the development of new energy infrastructure projects, Governor Katie Hobbs is trying to simplify things.
The Arizona Democrat has signed an executive order requiring the State Land Department to speed up the leasing or selling processes for energy projects to be built on state lands.
“There are too many burdensome government regulations, outdated processes, and unnecessary paperwork that stands in the way of commonsense solutions,” Hobbs said in announcing the executive order.
The order also requires that the State Land Department must produce, by mid-October, a report on exactly how to shorten review processes.
“We have incredible potential to deliver affordable energy to every business and family who needs it,” the Governor continued. “We just need to unleash it.”
The executive order additionally sets up what will be called the Arizona Energy Promise Taskforce, whose mission will be to identify streamlining opportunities specific to energy infrastructure projects.
The taskforce will be comprised of members of both the private and public sector, as well as consumer advocate representatives and subject matter experts.
In a statement, Maren Mahoney, director of the Governor’s Office of Resiliency, said the executive order comes at what she characterized as a “pivotal time” when both energy costs in Arizona and the demand for more energy projects are on the increase.
September 25, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of the office of Arizona Governor
