1     
JOINT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING UTAH'S RESPONSE

2     
TO THE EPA'S CLEAN POWER PLAN

3     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy

6     
Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This joint resolution supports the state of Utah's response to the Environmental
11     Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This resolution:
14          ▸     expresses the state's concerns about the expansive scope, insufficient time frame,
15     and opacity of the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan and carbon dioxide
16     regulations for existing electricity generating units;
17          ▸     supports the position that state leadership and congressional action, rather than
18     administrative rule, are required to properly address limiting greenhouse gas
19     emissions; and
20          ▸     supports the state's request that the EPA withdraw its proposal so states and
21     Congress can address this issue.
22     Special Clauses:
23          None
24     

25     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26          WHEREAS, the state of Utah has reviewed and commented on the U.S. Environmental
27     Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan and carbon dioxide regulations for

28     existing electricity generating units;
29          WHEREAS, coal is the dominant source of generating electricity in Utah, and any
30     transition away from this historically low-cost electricity source will have statewide economic
31     repercussions;
32          WHEREAS, the scope of the EPA's proposal is unprecedented and affects institutions
33     and regulatory processes that have not previously been subject to the EPA under the Clean Air
34     Act;
35          WHEREAS, the proposed rule unfairly penalizes the state because it does not recognize
36     the efficiencies already reflected in Utah's resource mix, or the state's ongoing efforts to
37     advance portfolio diversification and energy efficiency;
38          WHEREAS, the proposed regulation's timeframe is extremely limited and will further
39     exacerbate economic and logistic impacts of implementation;
40          WHEREAS, state leadership and congressional action, rather than administrative rule,
41     are required to properly address the complex and impactful issue of limiting greenhouse gas
42     emissions; and
43          WHEREAS, the Governor of the state of Utah provided a letter with accompanying
44     justification from the Utah Office of Energy Development to the EPA expressing these
45     concerns:
46          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
47     supports the state's request that the EPA withdraw its proposal so that states and Congress can
48     properly address this important issue.
49          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the state
50     legislatures of the other 49 states, members of Utah's congressional delegation, and the U.S.
51     Environmental Protection Agency.






Legislative Review Note
     as of 2-5-15 9:55 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel