Legislation providing incentives to encourage renewable energy firms to locate or expand their operations in Arizona cleared the state Legislature last week.

The bill (SB 1403) gives eligible firms a financial incentive from the state equal to 10 percent of what they spend on building a new manufacturing operation or a corporate office. The incentive is only provided after the firm has made the investment in facilities or employment.

A stipulation of the bill is that at least half of the company’s workers would have to be paid at least 125 percent of the state’s annual prevailing wage of $37,050. Firms would also have to cover at least 80 percent of each worker’s health insurance costs.

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The legislation was jointly developed by Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. It was anticipated that Gov. Jan Brewer would sign the bill into law.