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USBN’s January 15, 2025, legislative update featured guests Josh Craft from Utah Clean Energy and Tom Moyer from Climate Utah and Citizens’ Climate Lobby. The discussion covered critical topics, including Operation Gigawatt, grid and transmission capacity, clean energy economics, air quality legislation, and the Great Salt Lake.
In summary, the governor’s 10-year plan to double Utah’s energy capacity is driven by a growing population, the shift toward electrification, and the state’s goal to attract more businesses and industries, such as data centers. Expanding electric transmission capacity is essential to meeting these energy demands. Tom Moyer highlighted federal bipartisan legislation focused on permitting reform, while Josh Craft provided insights into HB212, which proposes adopting grid-enhancing technology in Utah.
Clean Energy Legislation Two bills related to solar energy are being proposed:
- HB119: This bill prevents HOAs from banning rooftop solar installations. Instead, it requires 51% of homeowners to vote in favor of the measure before the community can approve such projects.
- Another bill aims to remove permitting obstacles for balcony solar installations.
Air Quality Legislation Four bills are targeting improved air quality by addressing various sources of emissions:
- Reducing emissions from rail yards and bromine emissions from magnesium processing.
- Collecting fines from vehicle owners evading emission requirements.
- Phasing out gas-powered lawn equipment on state property.
- Monitoring emissions from mining truck fleets and offering incentives to retire heavy-duty trucks manufactured before 2010.
The Great Salt Lake and Water Consumption Legislation concerning the Great Salt Lake and water use remains sparse this year. However, three bills address key issues:
- Introducing riparian amendments.
- Providing incentives to encourage the cultivation of lower water-use crops.
- Mandating drip irrigation for all new construction projects.
The upcoming Utah legislative session may not feature an abundance of bills aimed at protecting air and water quality or accelerating the clean energy transition. However, the proposed legislation reflects slow but meaningful progress toward these goals.
Contact
Josh Craft, josh@utahcleanenergy.org
Tom Moyer, Tmoyer@xmission.com
Legislative Trackers
Utah Clean Energy’s Legislative Tracker
Climate Utah’s Legislative Tracker
Get Involved
To lobby at the federal level, consider joining a local chapter of Citizen’s Climate Lobby. It’s free and the organization is very well respected in Washington DC.
The Great Salt Lake Business Council is run by former Utah House of Representatives member, Tim Hawkes. Learn more. Contact Tim, thawkes@gsla.us, if you want to join the council. It’s free and its virtual meetings and presentations are very
informative.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Title & Link | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16/2025 | 9:30am | UCAIR Partner Meeting and Legislative Preview | Alta Club. 100 E S. Temple, SLC |
| 1/23/2025 (every Thursday during the session) | 8:30am | Great Salt Lake Lobby Days with Grow the Flow | Copper Room, Senate Building, Utah State Capitol |
| 1/23/2025 | 6:00pm | Stewardship Utah Legislative Preview - in person | Mestizo Coffee House, SLC |
| 1/25/2025 | 2:00pm | Rally for the Great Salt Lake | Utah Capitol |
| 1/27/2025 | 11:00am | Powering Utah's Future: A Conversation with Utah's Energy Leaders | Salt Lake Crossing. 470 W 200 N, SLC |
| 1/28/2025 (every Tuesday during the session) | 10:00am | HEAL Utah Lobby Days | Utah State Capitol Room 160 |
| 1/29/2025 | 1:00pm | Climate X-Change webinar: The Role States Can Play in Transmission Reform | Zoom |