GILA BEND, AZ (AP) -
The state Department of Environmental Quality has issued an aquifer protection permit for an Arizona solar plant.
The Solana Generating Station near Gila Bend is expected to be the state's largest solar electricity generating station.
The permit is needed for operators or owners of facilities that discharge pollutants that likely will reach an aquifer. The permit to Solana operator, Arizona Solar One LLC, was announced Monday.
The $2 billion plant is expected to begin operating later this year.
The 280 megawatts of electricity it will provide to Arizona Public Service is enough to power 70,000 homes.
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