63M-4-301 - State energy policy. - Utah Statutes

63M-4-301. State energy policy.
(1) It is the policy of the state that:
(a) Utah have adequate, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and clean energy resources;
(b) Utah will promote the development of:
(i) nonrenewable energy resources, including natural gas, coal, oil, oil shale, and tarsands; and
(ii) renewable energy resources, including geothermal, solar, wind, biomass, biodiesel,hydroelectric, and ethanol;
(c) Utah will promote the study of nuclear power generation;
(d) Utah will promote the development of resources and infrastructure sufficient to meetthe state's growing demand, while contributing to the regional and national energy supply, thusreducing dependence on international energy sources;
(e) Utah will allow market forces to drive prudent use of energy resources, althoughincentives and other methods may be used to ensure the state's optimal development and use ofenergy resources in the short- and long-term;
(f) Utah will pursue energy conservation, energy efficiency, and environmental quality;
(g) (i) state regulatory processes should be streamlined to balance economic costs withthe level of review necessary to ensure protection of the state's various interests; and
(ii) where federal action is required, Utah will encourage expedited federal action andwill collaborate with federal agencies to expedite review;
(h) Utah will maintain an environment that provides for stable consumer prices that areas low as possible while providing producers and suppliers a fair return on investment,recognizing that:
(i) economic prosperity is linked to the availability, reliability, and affordability ofconsumer energy supplies; and
(ii) investment will occur only when adequate financial returns can be realized; and
(i) Utah will promote training and education programs focused on developing acomprehensive understanding of energy, including programs addressing:
(i) energy conservation;
(ii) energy efficiency;
(iii) supply and demand; and
(iv) energy related workforce development.
(2) State agencies are encouraged to conduct agency activities consistent with Subsection(1).
(3) A person may not file suit to challenge a state agency's action that is inconsistent withSubsection (1).

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 382, 2008 General Session