State Energy Policy is Proposed

Oct 08 - Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

A pair of legislators want Utah to have a codified state energy policy, and they'll be seeking input on it during a meeting Oct. 19.

Two members of the Energy Policy Task Force -- Rep. David Ure, R- Kamas, and Rep. Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake -- will get suggestions from the public and energy stakeholders that day from 4 to 6 p.m. in Room W110 at the Capitol "to try to decipher where we want to go," Ure said at Thursday's task force meeting.

The idea now is only in the concept stage, with a few general points spelled out.

"We realize that we have some topics there that we . . . may need to delete, that we just really can't address in a way to make everybody happy," Ure said. "But it is my desire to at least put into place a more formal and more strategic energy policy for the state of Utah, and to put some foundations in the way Utah wants to move."

In March 2001, then-Gov. Mike Leavitt unveiled a two-page state energy policy calling for increases in the supplies of gas and electricity by 2005 to cover the state's needs for the next 10 to 15 years and to help other states as well, if possible. The policy was the final version of a document fine-tuned by the governor's Energy Supply Working Group, which met for several months to map the state's energy strategy.

The concepts discussed by Ure and Becker include:

Having diversified energy resources.

Developing resources through both existing sources and through emerging technologies.

Having resources that are "economically viable to ensure reasonable rates."

Supporting conservation and efficient energy use.

Ensuring energy resources are secure and that mechanisms are in place to help people during emergencies.

Facilitating collaborative decision-making on energy issues.

Supporting planning by private and public sectors for the state's energy needs.

Encouraging competition where practicable within the state's regulatory framework.

Facilitating regional cooperation.

Encouraging environmentally sound decisions.

The only suggestion from task force members Thursday came from Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, who said he wanted priorities for Utah energy producers. "No out-of-state coal," he said.

"That was my No. 1 reason for trying and pushing for an energy policy, and I mean utilizing all of the resources in the state of Utah," Ure replied. "That's where I'm coming from, so I echo your sentiments very, very strongly on that."

E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com