S.C.R. 2

1

RESOLUTION URGING DEVELOPMENT OF
2 OFFSHORE ENERGY RESOURCES
3 2006 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Thomas V. Hatch
6 House Sponsor: ____________
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges the President of
11 the United States to revoke administrative withdrawals on offshore energy
12 development.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . urges President Bush to revoke administrative withdrawals on offshore energy
16 development on the outer continental shelf of the United States; and
17 . urges that these energy resources be developed in an environmentally responsible
18 manner.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
21
22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
23 WHEREAS, energy use by the United States is growing twice as fast as its energy
24 production;
25 WHEREAS, since 2000, natural gas prices have risen 140% and oil prices have risen
26 107%;
27 WHEREAS, rising energy costs are taking a toll on low-income families throughout the

28 nation;
29 WHEREAS, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, during
30 2006, 32% of low-income families will have to sacrifice medical care, 24% will fail to make
31 their rent or mortgage payments, and 20% will be without food for at least one day;
32 WHEREAS, 44% of low-income families reported that they skipped paying or paid less
33 than their entire home energy bill in the past year;
34 WHEREAS, energy efficiency is increasing dramatically, but the United States will still
35 need 32% more energy to support economic growth by 2025;
36 WHEREAS, inland states like Utah are doing more to increase domestic gas
37 production, including allowing pilot projects in winter drilling and off-site mitigation;
38 WHEREAS, Utah is cooperating with federal agencies in coordinating energy
39 production on public lands that lie within state borders in an effort to better meet the energy
40 needs of all Americans; and
41 WHEREAS, those public lands that lie off the nation's coasts also hold enormous
42 potential for energy production, which could significantly help to meet the energy needs of all
43 Americans:
44 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
45 Governor concurring therein, urge President Bush to revoke administrative withdrawals on
46 offshore energy development on the nation's outer continental shelf to provide needed energy
47 resources to the United States.
48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge that offshore
49 energy development proceed in an environmentally responsible manner.
50 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of
51 the United States and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-23-06 9:55 AM

Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel