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Energy:
Energy Policy Amendments
Our Position: support, with concerns
Bill Number: hb243
Sponsor: Rep Roger Barrus (R-Centerville)
Legislative Session: 2007 General Session
This bill includes 3 unrelated elements. It adds hydroelectric power to the list of energy types defined as renewable by the State of Utah; it encourages education on a variety of energy-related subjects; and it appropriates $150,000 to the governor's energy office.
Status
2/28/07; bill passed both houses.
Action Needed
Only the first item is a problem. Hydroelectric power is renewable. However, if we make all hydroelectric power projects eligible for state support, it could stimulate new dams in environmentally-sensitive spots.
The best outcome would be for this bill to be amended to include only small-scale hydroelectric projects--such as tapping the energy potential in water pipelines--so please call your senator, before Feb 16th, to ask for this bill to be changed.
The Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee approved HB 243 on a 6-0-1 vote on February 12th, and the full senate passed it on a vote of 25-0-4 on Feb 15th on its second reading. But it was almost immediately tabled or suspended, where it remains now, on the third reading.
Contact
The bill is brief; read the language here. Find your senator with the district maps.
Background
Hydroelectric power is renewable. By making this change to the definition of renewable energy sources, certain bad dam projects that the Utah Chapter and other groups have toiled long to inter could be revived.
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