Unveiled state plan leaves plenty of options for a clean energy future

Brice Wallace 

Utah has unveiled its “State Energy and Innovation Plan,” which contains a commitment to an “any of the above” energy future.

Before Gov. Spencer Cox, governors had used different language, calling for an “all of the above” approach.

The plan says Utah will support efforts and policies “that provide a variety of tools and resources that citizens, communities, businesses and industries can choose from to deliver or obtain affordable, reliable energy.”

The plan is designed to be “a guidepost for energy development in Utah.” It calls for both enabling “more domestic energy development” and supporting “a clean energy future.”

Because of rising prices and harmful air pollutants, “energy is being attacked on all sides,” Thom Carter, energy advisor to the governor and executive director of the Utah Office of Energy Development, said in highlighting the plan during the recent One Utah Summit in Salt Lake City.

But because Utah is facing unprecedented population growth, the state will need more electricity, more ways to create it and distribute it, more transmission lines and more generation systems, he said, adding that work on “pragmatic, long-term solutions” are required, he said.

“In short, we need vision that will outlast us to ensure the success of the future generations of Utahns. … If we want to protect our children and their futures, it is clear that we must be actively engaged in keeping our energy affordable, reliable and sustainable,” Carter said.

In a prepared statement, Gov. Spencer Cox said that state code requires state energy policy to have “adequate, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and clean energy resources.”

“And that’s precisely what this plan does,” he said. “It’s crucial that we ensure Utah’s energy future is secure, innovative, and reliable in order to maintain our high quality of life and robust economy.”

The plan, available at energy.utah.gov/plan, includes five other commitments, including to:

• “American energy independence, pursuing policies and actions that will enable more domestic energy development and enhance global energy security.”

• “Pragmatic, market-driven climate solutions that enable innovative energy production. This includes a focus on supporting Utah-based research and development, ensuring we stay good stewards of our environment for future generations of Utahns.”

• “Supporting rural communities through economic development and diversification efforts, infrastructure investment, and workforce training and development.”

• “Supporting a clean energy future through a strong and responsible mining program for critical minerals; investment in emerging energy technology such as hydrogen, storage and energy efficiency; and air quality research and incentive programs.”

• “Collaboration with its local, regional, and federal partners to pursue infrastructure and innovation projects such as EV charging, transmission, emerging fuel hubs, and coal community support and diversification.”

The state website says the plan will be updated periodically.

The plan’s executive summary describes Utah as “an energy-rich state with vast traditional and renewable resources.” Those resources include coal, crude oil, natural gas, solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal.

“A resource-rich state like Utah plays an important role in America’s energy independence now and in the future as this country’s energy mix continues to evolve,” it says.

Energy is a $20.9 billion industry in the state, with the oil and natural gas industry alone supporting over 44,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs; providing over $2.6 billion in wages;, and contributing more than $4.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2019.

A 2020 study by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah showed that in 2017, the state’s energy industry directly and indirectly supported 3.8 percent of the state’s employment, 4.2 percent of its earnings, and 5.7 percent of its gross domestic product. Energy activities had 38,514 full- and part-time workers, or 1.9 percent of total jobs in the state. Those workers earned more than $1.9 billion that year, paying an average 60 percent higher than the statewide average for all industries.

Carter said the plan came after a year in which he traveled throughout the state to visit with experts and stakeholders, and held staff meetings with experts and gained public input. “As you know,” he told the One Utah Summit audience, “the governor strongly believes we cannot write good policy for the entire state of Utah sitting at our desks in Salt Lake City.”