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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING RURAL

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DEVELOPMENT OF WIND, SOLAR, HYDROGEN,

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HYDROELECTRIC, AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

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2019 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Patrice M. Arent

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Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

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9     LONG TITLE
10     Committee Note:
11          The Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee recommended this
12     bill.
13     General Description:
14          This resolution supports the development of wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and
15     geothermal energy in rural areas of the state as a complement to Utah's diversified
16     energy system and supports the export of Utah-produced wind, solar, hydrogen,
17     hydroelectric, and geothermal energy to other states.
18     Highlighted Provisions:
19          This resolution:
20          ▸     acknowledges the important role of rural communities in the development of energy
21     resources;
22          ▸     recognizes the economic and supply benefits that wind, solar, hydrogen,
23     hydroelectric, and geothermal energy development provide;
24          ▸     recognizes the energy market opportunities available to those states that develop
25     wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy;
26          ▸     supports the development of wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and geothermal
27     energy in rural areas of the state as a complement to Utah's diversified energy

28     system; and
29          ▸     supports the export of Utah-produced wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and
30     geothermal energy to other states.
31     Special Clauses:
32          None
33     

34     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
35          WHEREAS, Utah's rural communities have long produced much of the energy
36     necessary to drive Utah's economy;
37          WHEREAS, some of these rural communities have not always enjoyed the prosperity
38     that has come with Utah's tremendous economic growth in recent decades;
39          WHEREAS, many of these rural communities are rich with the natural resources,
40     including wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and geothermal resources, necessary to provide
41     energy for Utah and the nation;
42          WHEREAS, competitive energy markets in western states are providing new
43     opportunities for the sale of energy across state lines;
44          WHEREAS, Utah's natural salt dome geologic formations provide complementary
45     cost-effective storage potential for wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and geothermal
46     development, as well as their own economic development opportunities;
47          WHEREAS, many western states are responding to this energy opportunity by
48     harnessing wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and geothermal power, thus providing
49     economic benefits for rural communities and energy supplies to customers within and outside
50     their states; and
51          WHEREAS, Utah has an opportunity to maintain its position as a net exporter of energy
52     and a leader in energy production and innovation in the region:
53          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
54     Governor concurring therein, supports rural development of wind, solar, hydrogen,
55     hydroelectric, and geothermal energy resources within Utah as a complement to Utah's
56     diversified energy system, so that Utah's rural communities can take an active part in and
57     receive the benefits of Utah's economic development.
58          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor support the

59     export of Utah-produced wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy to other
60     states in the West through participation in centralized and bilateral energy markets.