H.B. 243 Enrolled

1

ENERGY POLICY AMENDMENTS
2 2007 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Roger E. Barrus
5 Senate Sponsor: Gregory S. Bell
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill makes additions to the state's energy policy.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . includes hydroelectric in a list of renewable energy resources;
13 . adds language supporting energy related educational programs; and
14 . makes technical changes.
15 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
16 None
17 Other Special Clauses:
18 None
19 Utah Code Sections Affected:
20 AMENDS:
21 63-53b-301, as enacted by Chapter 180, Laws of Utah 2006
22
23 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24 Section 1. Section 63-53b-301 is amended to read:
25 63-53b-301. State energy policy.
26 (1) It is the policy of the state that:
27 (a) Utah have adequate, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and clean energy resources;
28 (b) Utah will promote the development of:
29 (i) nonrenewable energy resources, including natural gas, coal, oil, oil shale, and tar

30 sands; and
31 (ii) renewable energy resources, including geothermal, solar, wind, biomass, biodiesel,
32 hydroelectric, and ethanol;
33 (c) Utah will promote the study of nuclear power generation;
34 (d) Utah will promote the development of resources and infrastructure sufficient to
35 meet the state's growing demand, while contributing to the regional and national energy supply,
36 thus reducing dependence on international energy sources;
37 (e) Utah will allow market forces to drive prudent use of energy resources, although
38 incentives and other methods may be used to ensure the state's optimal development and use of
39 energy resources in the short- and long-term;
40 (f) Utah will pursue energy conservation, energy efficiency, and environmental quality;
41 (g) (i) state regulatory processes should be streamlined to balance economic costs with
42 the level of review necessary to ensure protection of the state's various interests; and
43 (ii) where federal action is required, Utah will encourage expedited federal action and
44 will collaborate with federal agencies to expedite review; [and]
45 (h) Utah will maintain an environment that provides for stable consumer prices that are
46 as low as possible while providing producers and suppliers a fair return on investment,
47 recognizing that:
48 (i) economic prosperity is linked to the availability, reliability, and affordability of
49 consumer energy supplies; and
50 (ii) investment will occur only when adequate financial returns can be realized[.]; and
51 (i) Utah will promote training and education programs focused on developing a
52 comprehensive understanding of energy, including programs addressing:
53 (i) energy conservation;
54 (ii) energy efficiency;
55 (iii) supply and demand; and
56 (iv) energy related workforce development.
57 (2) State agencies are encouraged to conduct agency activities consistent with

58 Subsection (1).
59 (3) A person may not file suit to challenge a state agency's action that is inconsistent
60 with Subsection (1).