advocacy

Advocacy resources & organizations

While the USBN‘s mission is focused on networking, resources, and information sharing and not lobbying or advocacy, we understand the critical importance of the business community’s voice at the state legislature and in our local communities. We have heard time and again that our elected officials want to hear from Utah businesses and place a high value on the feedback that they receive from businesses – you have a genuine opportunity to make a significant impact by letting your voice be heard. We encourage you to use the below resources to learn more about how businesses can advocate for more sustainable policy and to connect with the organizations listed at the bottom of this page who are coordinating this important work.

USBN advocacy education events

How businesses can engage in advocacy 101

Click here to view the recording of our 101 on how businesses and individuals can engage in advocacy for sustainable policy featuring Rep. Steve Handy, State Representative for Utah’s 16th Legislative District in Layton & board member for Utah Clean Cities, and Justin Lee, Director of Government Relations for the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

Hear from the Hill Session 1

Click here to view the recording of the first Hear from the Hill event featuring Nick Schou from Western Resources Advocates who gave an update on what was happening during the 2022 legislative session but also provided some excellent tips and resources for those new to advocacy. 

Hear from the Hill Session 2

Click here to view the recording of our second Hear from the Hill event featuring Josh Craft from Utah Clean Energy who gave fantastic advice for maintaining a healthy perspective while engaged in advocacy and discussed the importance of year-round engagement with elected officials.

Leading advocacy organizations in Utah

The nonprofit organizations listed below are well respected leaders in advocacy for sustainability related issues. We encourage you to reach out to them to learn more about how you can get involved in their coordinated efforts to advance policy that drives sustainability in Utah.

HEAL Utah

The Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah) promotes renewable energy and clean air, and protects public health and the environment from dirty, toxic and nuclear energy threats.

HEAL Utah works on clean air, energy and climate, and radioactive waste. For each of these issues, they take well-researched legislative, regulatory, and individual responsibility approaches to create tangible change and then rely on grassroots action to make it happen. By educating citizens, building their civic skills, and getting us all to consider our personal choices, they mobilize individuals to protect our families, our communities, and our natural world.

Sierra Club Utah Chapter

The Utah Sierra Club is a team of organizers, volunteers, and grassroots activists who are working to solve the climate crisis in a way that is fair and equitable. They work with communities around Utah to build a movement that protects and defends everyone’s right to a healthy environment.

From lands, water, climate, air, to justice for the communities impacted most by environmental degradation, the Sierra Club Utah Chapter works on a variety of issues year after year to make sure our natural resources are protected for present and future generations.

Utah Clean Energy

Utah Clean Energy advances renewable energy and energy efficiency in Utah and the Western Region through advocacy, education, and diverse partnerships.  

Their work supports the transition of utilities to renewable methods of energy generation, assists homeowners & building managers with becoming ultra-energy efficient and electric, drives the electrification of transportation, and encourages and inspires leadership on climate change solutions at the local, national, and global levels.

Western Resource Advocates

Western Resource Advocates focuses on state-based action to urgently reduce carbon emissions and protect rivers and lands in the face of climate change. Using legal and policy expertise developed over three decades in the West, WRA is a leading driver of state action — where many of the most important decisions and climate progress is made — to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.

WRA achieves its goals through direct advocacy with state utility commissions, state legislatures, and local decision makers; using science and research to help state and local governments shape and assess laws and rules that drive change; collaborating and building relationships with a broad and diverse group of allies; and supporting communities most affected by climate change by advocating for inclusion and ensuring all voices are heard where decisions are made.

Representation and voting information

Are you new to advocacy and not sure where to start?  

Bill trackers

The State of Utah’s annual legislative session usually runs from about mid-January to early-March.  Every year local government and advocacy organizations produce legislative trackers so that advocates can keep up with what’s happening in the Utah state legislature.   Below are links to the 2023 trackers: