Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House passes broad energy-policy bill, adds study of nuclear generation
Summary
The Utah House passed first substitute House Bill 46 to establish state energy policy, create a state energy officer role, and require coordination among agencies; the bill was amended to cite the state energy emergency plan and add a study of nuclear power generation before passing 66-2.
The Utah House on Jan. 31 approved first substitute House Bill 46, a package of energy-policy amendments that declares guiding principles for state energy strategy and creates a named role to coordinate energy work across agencies.
Representative Barriss, the bill sponsor, said the measure ‘‘is very short but it has much depth to it’’ and described it as codifying a state energy policy and outlining duties for a state energy officer without recreating a full state energy office. The bill directs periodic reports to the governor and to interim legislative committees and emphasizes conservation, energy efficiency and environmental quality.
During floor debate, Representative Allen offered an amendment to incorporate the state’s energy emergency plan and to require related tests; Barriss described the change as friendly and the House adopted it. Representative Doth successfully moved to insert language requiring ‘‘the study of nuclear power generation’’ to the list of items the policy should consider; sponsors argued the amendment allowed the Legislature to examine options without committing to taking waste from other states. Opponents warned of potential unintended consequences for longstanding efforts to prevent out-of-state nuclear waste storage in Utah.
Supporters framed the bill as a bipartisan product of interim working groups that included industry, agency and legislative participants. The House adopted the amendments and passed HB46, as amended, 66-2; the measure now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
The House recorded the passage after votes on multiple amendments; the text of the bill as amended includes duties for a state energy officer, coordination and reporting requirements, and a policy statement that the state will promote cost-effective development of renewable and nonrenewable resources while pursuing efficiency and environmental protection.
The next steps are Senate consideration and any subsequent conference on language if the Senate alters the bill.
