public utilities; plant construction; colocation

HB 2457 allows utilities to build new power plants colocated with large industrial energy users without needing environmental review, provided they give 30 days' written notice to the state commission and hold a public comment session in the affected county. The exemption applies only to public utilities (like municipal power entities) and requires the industrial user to already have all necessary zoning approvals. The state commission must define key terms like "colocated" (including distance or electrical connection details) and "large industrial energy user" (based solely on energy demand in megawatts, without favoring specific industries). This bill streamlines construction for certain projects while maintaining public input requirements.