Utah Clean Energy’s mission is to partner to build the new clean energy economy. We are committed to creating a future where we significantly decrease our carbon-based energy consumption, become more energy efficient, and increase our use of renewable energy. This will ensure a healthy environment and vibrant economy for Utah’s current and future generations. The following is a sampling of our successes in 2009.

CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - Utah Clean Energy is partnering with Utah Department of Workforce Services and Salt Lake Community College to develop a statewide strategy for “green collar” workforce development. This includes assessing current gaps in workforce training, providing recommendations on program/course offerings, and bringing together diverse stakeholders and institutes of higher education to collaborate on workforce strategies.

CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN - Utah Clean Energy had a number of policy and regulatory successes (see sections below) that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the advancement of renewables and energy efficiency. We continued to facilitate Utah-based engagement in the Western Climate Initiative proceedings, as well as provide ongoing support to innovative industries and local governments with their greenhouse gas reduction goals.

POLICY OUTREACH - Our efforts propelled several key successes in the clean energy policy arena. Through technical assistance, educating the public, key stakeholders and policymakers, building coalitions, and garnering media attention, the following important new policies and programs were enacted in 2009:

• The Renewable Energy Development Incentive (REDI) is a significant tax incentive that provides a post-performance refundable tax credit for up to 100% of new state tax revenues (including, state, corporate, sales and withholding taxes) over the life of the project.
• The Utah Generated Renewable Energy Electricity Network (UGREEN) sets up a board and bonding authority to remove barriers to renewable development through the development of a master plan for renewable energy and transmission infrastructure. This legislation will be implemented in 2010.
• Governor’s Utah Renewable Energy Zone (UREZ) Taskforce: Utah Clean Energy serves on the Governor’s UREZ task force. Phase I identified over 20,000 MW of renewable energy potential in Utah. Phase II, expected to be completed in 2010, will prioritize zones, model transmission, and study policy and funding barriers to the development of renewable energy transmission in Utah.

REGULATORY ADVOCACY - Utah Clean Energy’s work in Utah’s utility regulatory arena led to several wins for renewable energy and energy efficiency. One of our largest successes was an increase in the State’s electrical utility’s energy efficiency incentives from $36 million to $60 million. Given that these savings behave like compounding interest, the cumulative annual savings from 2001 to 2009 are over 1 million MWh of energy, thus preventing over 1 million tons of CO2 emissions annually.

RENEWABLE ENERGY/ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROPERTY TAX FINANCING - To remove upfront cost barriers for solar and energy efficiency, we are collaborating with Salt Lake County to implement Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program. We have modeled the program after the Boulder County Colorado program and are currently working to advance statutory changes that will be necessary. The program has broad support and our goal is to roll this program out in mid-to late 2010.

SOLAR SALT LAKE PROJECT - Utah’s solar industry continues to grow and expand. We estimate that current distributed solar PV generation capacity across the state is over 1 MW and poised to grow exponentially if certain regulatory and financial barriers are removed. To that end, Utah Clean Energy is coordinating with Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and the U.S. Department of Energy on Phase 2 of the Solar Salt Lake Project. The project’s primary objective is to support the development of 10MW of solar installations in the Salt Lake Valley by 2015.

UTAH BUILDINGS ENERGY EFFICIENCY STRATEGIES (UBEES) - This new collaborative project includes the public and private sectors and will dramatically increase the efficiency of Utah’s homes and buildings. This initiative is a critical step in Utah reaching its state goal of 20% improvement in energy efficiency by 2015. The UBEES Team consists of the Governor’s Energy Advisor, Utah Clean Energy, and various state agencies. The UBEES Project will identify and work to remove key barriers to high performance buildings and homes. Additionally, the project will design and implement an energy efficiency best practices model for Utah state government with its 44.47 million square feet of building space, currently consuming $60 million in energy costs annually. The best practice model will be expanded to include Utah businesses, industrial facilities, and homes thus creating enormous savings potential across Utah’s entire economy. This three-year project is being funded primarily through federal stimulus monies.

WIND POWER CAMPAIGN – Utah Clean Energy continues to support small and large-scale wind development in Utah. This fall, a ground breaking was held for a $400 million wind-farm project in Beaver County located in Central Utah. The 200 MW facility will include 97 turbines that will power for over 50,000 homes. We are also recognize the importance of training the next generation and facilitated the development of small wind projects and wind education in Utah’s public schools. Our outreach efforts included training more than 25 “Utah Wind Pioneers” from across the state to serve as local wind advocates in their communities.