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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution supports federal action to address climate change.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 ▸ recognizes the risks to the state, its economy and citizens, of standing by while
14 global carbon emissions grow unchecked;
15 ▸ outlines the benefits to the state of encouraging federal action to reduce carbon
16 emissions;
17 ▸ urges Utah's federal delegation to the United States Congress to consider a
18 bipartisan national solution to address climate change known as carbon dividends;
19 ▸ commends a nationwide plan; and
20 ▸ recognizes effects of carbon dividend solution.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
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24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
25 WHEREAS, the state of Utah is committed to protecting and enhancing recreational
26 and economic opportunities for its citizens and tourists who add to our economy;
27 WHEREAS, protection, conservation, and effective stewardship of the natural
28 environment is essential for preserving the state's economic health and the well-being and
29 productivity of its citizens;
30 WHEREAS, the state's scenic beauty and access to outdoor recreation provide the
31 foundation for our tourism industry and hold unique appeal for job creators seeking to locate in
32 the state and recruit and retain workers from a nationwide pool who add to the state's economy;
33 WHEREAS, local impacts of a changing climate are threatening our snowpack and the
34 long-term viability of the winter sports industry that contributes more than $1 billion to the
35 state's economy each year;
36 WHEREAS, Utah experienced its driest year on record in 2018, harming the
37 livelihoods of farmers and prompting the Governor to declare a state drought emergency;
38 WHEREAS, warming temperatures from the changing climate are increasing
39 photochemical smog production rates along the Wasatch Front, which results in higher levels
40 of ozone that harm human health and damage crops;
41 WHEREAS, harmful air pollutants are linked to health problems in vulnerable
42 populations, and a 2018 report from the Department of Health found a significant increase in
43 asthma prevalence in the state;
44 WHEREAS, the Department of Health has issued a report outlining the increased risk
45 of extreme weather events and other adverse climate impacts, including wildfires, water
46 scarcity, and flooding;
47 WHEREAS, the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recommended
48 the state adopt a goal to reduce both criteria pollutant air emissions and CO2 emissions,
49 underscoring the strong link between improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas
50 emissions;
51 WHEREAS, Ski Utah joined other state ski trade associations in 2018 to issue an
52 urgent call for lasting bipartisan action to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a clean
53 energy economy;
54 WHEREAS, improving air quality and addressing climate impacts in the state requires
55 clean tech innovation across the entire United States economy that can be deployed around the
56 world to reduce emissions;
57 WHEREAS, this transition to a clean energy economy is best achieved through federal
58 leadership on climate policy and, specifically, the enactment of a durable national climate
59 solution;
60 WHEREAS, the carbon dividends plan is a market based solution that is supported by
61 more than 3,500 United States economists, 4 former Chairs of the Federal Reserve, 27 Nobel
62 Laureate Economists, 15 former Chairs of the Council of Economic Advisors, and a broad
63 coalition of businesses across the country;
64 WHEREAS, Utah, with our startup culture, abundant solar resources, and vast public
65 lands that can be developed for clean power generation and storage, would stand to gain from
66 well-designed federal policy that unleashes market demand for renewable power and clean
67 technologies;
68 WHEREAS, air quality in the state would improve measurably from the innovation and
69 deployment of new clean technologies in our transportation and industrial sectors; and
70 WHEREAS, any efforts to mitigate the risks of or address our changing climate and its
71 effects should not harm the state's citizens or businesses or constrain the economy nor its
72 global competitiveness:
73 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
74 Governor concurring therein, calls on Utah's federal delegation to Congress to consider a
75 bipartisan national climate solution known as carbon dividends.
76 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and Governor commend this
77 nationwide plan that proposes charging energy companies a fee on their carbon emissions and
78 returning all the money directly back to the American people in quarterly payments.
79 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and Governor recognize that the
80 carbon dividends solution will cut United States emissions in half by 2035 while unlocking
81 innovation, streamlining regulations for businesses, and protecting the vast majority of Utah
82 families from increased energy costs.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be provided to Utah's
84 congressional delegation.