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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
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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