S.J.R. 1 Enrolled

1

JOINT RESOLUTION - RENEWABLE ENERGY
2 SYSTEM
3 2009 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Patricia W. Jones
6 House Sponsor: Rebecca Chavez-Houck
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature addresses renewable energy systems.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 . urges the State Energy Program to assess the need for and assist with the
14 development of model renewable energy ordinances at the local government level
15 and directs the program to report to the Legislature on its process for assessing the
16 need;
17 . urges the State Energy Program to consult and work cooperatively with municipal
18 government representatives and others to develop model ordinances relating to
19 wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass energy; and
20 . directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to the State Energy Program.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state, as provided in Subsection 63M-4-301 (1)(a),
26 that the state have adequate, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and clean energy resources;
27 WHEREAS, the state wishes to provide clarity to the process of developing renewable
28 energy projects and to make the permitting process for development of renewable energy for
29 Utah residents, businesses, and local governments more efficient and less burdensome;

30 WHEREAS, the state believes that renewable energy should continue to be part of a
31 diversified and balanced energy portfolio that can help meet growing energy demands;
32 WHEREAS, properly designed renewable energy installation ordinances can help
33 communities, individuals, and businesses gain greater access to wind, geothermal, hydro,
34 biomass, and solar energy resources, while preserving farmlands and agricultural enterprises
35 and adjoining residential and commercial developments as compatible adjoining uses;
36 WHEREAS, the state recognizes that the renewable energy industry is growing and can
37 continue to benefit the state economically, and efforts to streamline renewable energy
38 installations could have future potential positive economic impacts to the state;
39 WHEREAS, the State Energy Program, housed in the Utah Geological Survey, a
40 division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, provides direct support for and access
41 to available funding for energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy
42 programs and projects in the state; and
43 WHEREAS, the State Energy Program administers state solar, wind, and geothermal
44 working groups that meet regularly throughout the state and are open to the public and any
45 interested parties:
46 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the State Energy Program be urged to
47 assess the need for and assist with the development of model renewable energy ordinances, if
48 considered useful, that facilitate the development of solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, biomass,
49 and other renewable energy resources through collaborative stakeholder processes.
50 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Energy Program be directed to report the
51 findings and any resulting model ordinances to the Legislature no later than November 30,
52 2009.
53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Energy Program be urged to consult and
54 work cooperatively with representatives of municipal governments and other interested parties
55 to develop model ordinances relating to wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass energy
56 for municipalities to consider adopting as they consider appropriate for their jurisdictions.
57 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this joint resolution be sent to the State

58 Energy Program.