Now that the session is over, take a minute to contact your legislators regarding the bills they supported/opposed.  Your input is important and it only takes a minute to make your voice heard!

1. Identify your Legislators
2. Locate their contact information
3. Make a call and send and email.

To track bills on your own:

1. Go to the Legislative Home Page, click on “Bills” and select “Tracking Service” and enter the bill numbers where indicated. Every time you return to this page, your bills will be there with the latest updates available (set it as your home page during the legislative session).
2. Go to the bill page of interest and scroll down to the bottom of the page; enter your email address where indicated under “Webwatch”. You will receive updates any time the bill status changes.

Current clean energy legislation of interest includes:
 

*For questions about legislative terms (tabled, circled, etc.), go to the Glossary of Legislative Terms webpage. 

Summary of Known
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Legislation
Under Consideration for the 2009 Utah Legislative Session

SUPPORT

1) HJR 09 S01: Joint Resolution on Cost‐Effective Energy Efficiency and Utility Demand‐side Management – Rep. Roger Barrus (Dist. 18); Sen. Pat Jones (Dist. 4)
Final resolution text
Bill Status
This joint resolution recognizes energy efficiency as a priority resource; urges state and local governments and utilities companies to promote and encourage all available cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation; sets voluntary energy savings goals for Rocky Mountain Power and Questar Gas, and expresses support for regulatory mechanisms that remove disincentives to utility energy efficiency and conservation.
Reasons to Support:

• Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective energy resource available today; an important element of the state energy policy; and can be developed like traditional energy resources to meeting our growing energy needs
• Energy efficiency saves Utah citizens and businesses money, which is increasingly important in today’s economy
• Utilities can play a major role in advancing energy efficiency; Utility demand-side management (DSM) programs are designed to save residents and businesses energy and money through specific energy efficiency measures.
• Energy efficiency and DSM programs are a cost-effective means to meet growing energy demand; energy saving from DSM programs can be thought of as a virtual power plant. It is usually less expensive for utilities to help their customers save energy than it is to build new power plants.
• This resolution helps remove significant financial disincentives to achieving all cost-effective energy efficiency by encouraging regulatory mechanisms that create a “win-win” scenario for Utah consumers and utility companies, such as: performance based incentives, decoupling, and innovative rate designs.

2) SJR 1S02: Joint Resolution - Renewable Energy System (second substitute) – Senate Sponsor: Sen. Patricia Jones (Dist. 4) and House Sponsor: Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck (Dist. 24)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This resolution successfully passed through the Senate and the House!
This joint resolution directs the Utah State Energy Program SEP to assess the need for, and develop, model wind, solar, and geothermal ordinances through stakeholder processes, and directs SEP to collaborate with representatives of municipal governments and other interested parties to develop model renewable energy ordinances for municipalities to consider adopting.
Reasons to Support:

• Several local governments in Utah have addressed the issue of the adoption of model renewable energy ordinances due to interest from citizens, businesses, or developers. In many cases, the process has been time-consuming for all involved because of the complex nature of renewable energy ordinances.
• Local governments have limited resources and time to devote to researching ordinance language for renewable energy and may not be aware of available resources and information; this resolution provides State Energy Program assistance to local governments and municipalities interested in developing and/or adopting renewable energy ordinances to help reduce the time, cost, and resources that citizens, businesses, and developers need to expend.
• This resolution is a no-cost way to help make Utah more attractive to renewable energy development and invite new economic opportunities to Utah.

3) SJR 10: Alternative Training Center Joint Resolution – Sen. Dennis Stowell (Dist. 28); Rep. Mike Noel (Dist. 73)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This joint resolution of the Legislature supports establishing an Alternative Energy Training Center in Beaver County, Utah.
Key Points:

• Utah’s economy would stand to benefit from the development of an Alternative Energy Training Center or facility devoted to renewable energy and energy efficiency training and education to meet growing demand in state and across the country.
• Beaver County is, at present, leading the way for renewable energy development in Utah, however Utah Clean Energy acknowledges that Beaver County is one of several areas throughout the state that may be suitable for an Alternative Energy Training Center.

4) HB 430: Economic Development Incentives for Alternative Energy Projects – Rep. Kevin Garn (Dist. 16); Sen. Sheldon Killpack (Dist. 21)
Bill Info

Reasons to Support:

• HB 430 will help create jobs by attracting manufacturing and power generation facilities in the renewable energy industry.
• HB 430 allows the Governor's Office to Economic Development (GOED) to establish energy development zones and to offer tax credits to companies located in those development zones.
• HB 430 Helps send the message that Utah is open for business for the new clean energy economy.

5) HB 249 S01: Continuing Education for Contractors Amendments – Rep. Ron Bigelow (Dist. 32)
Bill Language
Bill Status 

Reasons to Support:
This bill would have repealed continuing education requirements and penalties for licensed contractors.  This substitute language again requires 6 hours of continuing education every two years and creates an opportunity to develop a contractor training and workshop database and audit process.

• Utah ’s contractors strive to be the best in the nation by staying competitive and well-informed.  Continuing Education is a necessary and common practice among Utah ’s technical trades to ensure licensed contractors receive up-to-date information and education as new technologies and practices emerge.

1) SB 76 SO3: Energy Amendments – Sen. Curtis Bramble (Dist. 16); Rep. Roger Barrus (Dist. 18)
Bill Language
Bill Status
Reasons to Support:

This bill creates a political subdivision of the State tasked with the development of a master plan for renewable energy production and transmission infrastructure. This subdivision will have the ability to apply for and seek out federal grants, as well as bonding authority to pay for transmission lines for renewable energy. 

BILLS OF CONCERN

6) HB 190: State Energy Policy Restrictions – Rep. Roger Barrus (Dist. 18)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This bill requires legislative approval of certain interstate agreements affecting state energy resources and use and addresses the effect of other interstate compacts and agreements.
Reasons for Concern:

• This bill would limit the authority of the Governor and the State of Utah to enter into interstate agreements affecting state energy resources, such as the Western Climate Initiative along with critical Transmission issues.

7) HB 191: Air Quality Board Amendments – Rep. Roger Barrus (Dist. 18)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This bill prohibits Utah’s Air Quality Board from entering into, amending, or modifying a contract or agreement that requires a legislative change, cost more than $50,000, binds the state to a new policy, or imposes a legal duty on a person in the state.
Reasons for Concern:

• By limiting the ability of Air Quality Board to enter into critical interstate contracts, this bill limits their ability to protect Utah’s Air Quality as it relates to regional air quality issues. 

8) HB 412: Energy Policy Amendments – Rep. Roger Barrus (Dist. 18); Sen. Scott Jenkins (Dist. 20)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This bill amends the state energy policy to determine the economic impacts of a proposed legislative or executive action involving climate change, and to promote and advocate for fair and consistent federal climate change regulation.
Reasons for Concern:

• This bill requires economic analyses be conducted prior to any action involving climate change but sets no parameters or guidelines related to the scope and cost of these analyses nor does it address how to handle conflicting results.
• This bill urges delay on any climate action until all solutions have been proven to be commercially viable thereby delaying action on simple cost effective solutions available today.
• This bill could limit the ability of Utah to take effective steps to address climate change.
• This bill could delay or prevent Utah from reaping the benefits of clean energy industries and activities to address climate change.

9) HR 3 S01: Resolution on Energy Policy (first substitute) – Rep. Michael Noel (Dist. 73)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This resolution of the House of Representatives urges the Governor to withdraw Utah from the Western Climate Initiative.
Reasons for concern:

• This resolution inaccurately asserts that the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change lacked balance and did not provide for full debate on global warming issues as they relate to Utah. This was a diverse stakeholder group with utilities, local governments, state government, legislators, agriculture, industry, energy users, consumer advocates, and environmental groups. Any concerns regarding the Task Force could have been brought up in 2007 when it was formed. For a list of Council members, please click here (PDF): http://www.deq.utah.gov/BRAC_Climate/docs/BRAC_Members.pdf
• Utah ’s participation in the WCI allows us a seat at the table to advocate for climate change strategies that work well for Utah ’s unique economy. Being at the table allows us to be at the forefront of a growing and impending national effort to regulate carbon emissions. It is critically important for Utah to be engaged in the policy debate to develop solutions that will work well for Utah ;
• Strategies to address climate change will spur early adoption of energy efficiency measures, while saving Utahns money and making our state more competitive;
• Participation in the WCI sends a clear message to businesses that Utah is an active player in one the fastest growing sectors of the national economy—Clean Energy;
• Through participation in the WCI, Utah will get credit for early greenhouse gas reductions.

10) HB 420: Carbon Emissions Reduction Provisions Amendments – Rep. Christine Watkins (Dist. 69)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This bill amends the definition of "renewable energy source" to include energy derived from methane gas from abandoned or working coal mines, or a coal degassing operation within the geographic area of a state-approved mine permit.
Reasons for Concern:

• The definition of renewable energy should not be expanded to include energy resources from non-renewable sources.
• Capturing methane from coal mines has potential merits and opportunities, but this should not be included in the State’s current definition of renewable energy because it is technically inaccurate and misleading.

11) SB 211: Building Code Amendments – Sen. Curtis Bramble (Dist. 16); Rep. Todd Kiser (Dist. 41)
Bill Language
Bill Status
Among other significant changes to Utah building code law, this bill eliminates the long-standing authority of the Uniform Building Code Commission to authorize and adopt building codes and gives this authority to the Utah Legislature.
Reasons for Concern:

• The Building Code Commission would be required to make recommendations to a Legislative Committee when a building code change is in order.
• These changes could slow or prevent the adoption of updated energy conservation codes that are designed to significantly save energy and money for Utah residents and business owners.
• This is bad public policy – this Commission and Board were set up with the express purpose of convening groups of experts to authorize and adopt building codes, fire codes, energy conservation codes, and other codes to protect the health and safety for the public interest. This authority should remain in place.
• These changes would unduly burden the staff- and resource-limited Legislature with responsibilities that should be handled by Commissions and Boards with the expertise to efficiently make these decisions.

12) HB 394: Uniform Building Code Commission Amendments – Rep. Carl Wimmer (Dist. 52)
Bill Language
Bill Status  
This bill has been circled, which means it is on hold for negotiations and/or revisions are made.
This bill significantly imbalances the membership of the Uniform Building Code Commission by changing the membership of the Uniform Building Code Commission. The bill would replace one fire official, one member of the general public, and one member from the Division of Facilities Construction and Management with three general contractors.
Reason for Concern:

• This bill could prevent Utah from receiving $50 million in federal stimulus money. How? States that adopt 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the premier building energy conservation code in the country, are eligible to receive additional stimulus funds. The 2009 IECC is already slated to be adopted by Utah early next year, but with the passage of this and other bills, this may be derailed.
• This bill eliminates one fire official, one member of the general public, and one member from the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (a state building division) and replaces these positions with three general contractors, increasing the number from three to six.
• While general contractors play a vital role in the building industry, a commission of this type, which deals with a diverse array of building and construction issues, should reflect the diverse composition of the building industry and not be ‘stacked’ in favor of only one group.
• Any change to the Commission should maintain diversity among building contractors, building inspectors, and other individuals. The Commission should retain a fire official position, and a representative of the state building division, along with the general public.

BILLS TO WATCH: NEUTRAL OR BILL LANGUAGE NOT YET AVAILABLE

14) SB 99: Renewable Energy Certificate Revisions – Sen. Curtis Bramble (Dist. 16)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This bill makes technical changes to existing language to clarify the Public Service Commission’s authority to establish a process for issuance or recognition of renewable energy certificates.

15) HB 332: Public Service Commission Powers Amendments – Rep. Roger Barrus (Dist. 18)
Bill Info

16) SB 75 Utility Amendments – Sen. Stephen Urquhart (Dist. 29); Rep. Kevin Garn (Dist. 16)
Bill Language
Bill Status
This bill includes a number of provisions to facilitate cost recovery for Rocky Mountain Power, including: a fuel and power cost adjustment mechanism; changes to rate case provisions; interim rate provisions that allow for an increase or decrease in rates between rate cases; authority to charge interest to ratepayers on construction work in progress; timely recovery of investments for major plant additions; authorization of specific low income programs; and authority for revenue decoupling and incentive programs that could be utilized to remove utility disincentives and create incentives to encourage expansion of utility energy efficiency programs.

TABLED

17) HB 117: Mechanical Contractor Licensing Provisions – Rep. Larry Wiley (Dist. 31)
Bill Language 
Bill Status 
THIS POLICY WAS SENT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE TO BE PLACED ON THE WORK STUDY CALENDAR FOR THE 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
This bill amends Utah’s Construction Trades Licensing Act to create parity between the licensing standards of Utah’s mechanical contractors and other construction trades, to greatly improve HVAC contractor education and training, improve public safety and help Utahns save money. This bill creates an HVAC Mechanical Technician Licensing Board and improves HVAC contractor training and licensure requirements.