State of Utah Archives: on Energy & Oil
Allen Glines:
Support Green New Deal, but no harm to economy
- Support Green New Deal and any legislation that seeks to better the environment. Will only support policies that do not harm the economy.
- Support measures that maintain and expand access to clean water throughout the country.
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Invest in the continued study of climate science and programs working to better the environment.
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Expand dialogue and representation of climate science in the federal government.
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Fight against language in current and future legislation [that] openly rules out climate change.
Source: 2021 Utah Senate campaign website AllenGlines.com
Jul 21, 2021
Austin Searle:
Improving energy efficiency impacts climate change
Energy efficiency reduces emissions from power plants, improves grid resilience during periods of electricity demand, saves consumers money, and creates jobs in the building and energy sectors. Improving energy
efficiency includes insulating your water heater and pipes, installing a programmable thermostat, swapping out light bulbs, replacing appliances before they die, cleaning and replacing filters, etc.
Source: 2021-2022 Utah Senate race website AustinForSenate.com
Jun 27, 2021
Austin Searle:
Infrastructure investments can reduce emissions
Congress will be instrumental in designing and funding any new federal infrastructure package. Infrastructure investments can reduce emissions and improve resilience to the climate impacts we are already experiencing. For instance, a modernized grid
can better distribute renewable power and make communities more resilient to extreme weather. Any new infrastructure should get built to last, with impacts like rising sea levels and increasingly frequent heatwaves in mind.
Source: 2021-2022 Utah Senate race website AustinForSenate.com
Jun 27, 2021
Chris Peterson:
Green energy and energy independence will lead to good jobs
According to experts across the spectrum, Utah is running out of time to stop consistent droughts, widespread wildfires, and major decreases in air quality. A clean energy future of electric vehicles, more efficient power grids, and greater energy
independence will create better jobs while supporting
Utah's future population increases. Sustainable energy, transportation solutions as well as responsible regulation of polluters will preserve clean water and air for all Utahns.
Chris is dedicated to maintaining what makes Utah special without sacrificing economic growth and quality jobs.
Source: 2020 Utah governor website PetersonForUtah.com
Oct 9, 2020
Kamala Harris:
Carbon-neutral America by 2035
PENCE: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would put us back in the Paris Climate Accord. They'd impose the Green New Deal, which would crush American energy and would crush American jobs. President Trump and I believe the progress we have made in a cleaner
environment has been happening because we have a free market economy. What's remarkable is the United States has reduced CO2 more than the countries that are still in the Paris Climate Accord, but we've done it through innovation.
HARRIS: Joe understands that the west coast is burning. Joe has seen and talked with the farmers in Iowa whose entire crops have been destroyed because of floods. Joe is about saying we're going to invest that in renewable energy, which is going to be
about the creation of millions of jobs. We will achieve net zero emissions by 2050, carbon neutral by 2035We will also reenter the Climate Agreement with pride.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Mike Pence:
Biden's plan is a $2 trillion version of Green New Deal
PENCE: Joe Biden said, "I guarantee that we will abolish fossil fuels." They have a $2 trillion version of the Green New Deal, that USA Today said really wasn't that very different from the original Green New Deal. More taxes, more regulation, banning
fracking, abolishing fossil fuel, crushing American energy and economic surrender to China is a prescription for economic decline. President Trump and I will keep America growing.HARRIS: Joe Biden will not end fracking, he has been very clear about
that.
PENCE: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would put us back in the Paris Climate Accord. They'd impose the Green New Deal, which would crush American energy and would crush American jobs. President Trump and I believe the progress we have made in a
cleaner environment has been happening because we have a free market economy. What's remarkable is the United States has reduced CO2 more than the countries that are still in the Paris Climate Accord, but we've done it through innovation.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Jon Huntsman:
Growing concern over environmental impacts of coal
Huntsman said investing in a deep water terminal was an "audacious goal" on the part of state lawmakers but warned that the "headwinds against coal are strong." "There has been little interest from investors in coal port infrastructure," he
wrote. "Capital is a coward and investors around the world are reading the signs that show growing concern over the environmental impacts of coal."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2020 Utah Governor race
Apr 18, 2020
Gary Herbert:
Make commuting by transit as easy as commuting by car
We've worked hard to bring Tier 3 fuels to the state. Newer cars using this fuel can see an 80% reduction in emissions, which is like taking four out of every five cars off of the road.We need to boldly reimagine our roads to safely accommodate
cars, mass transit, bikes, pedestrians, and even those scooters. We should make commuting by transit as easy as commuting by car. In my budget, I set aside a $34 million down payment toward improvements in heavy rail, light rail, and bus transit.
Source: 2020 Utah State of the State address
Jan 30, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Address climate change
Holcombe said, "I'm gonna win by showing everyday working Vermonters that it's not enough to talk." She added, "I think Vermonters want a governor who's gonna roll up their sleeves and engage."Holcombe declined to outline specific policy priorities,
saying only that she would focus on making health care more affordable, strengthening public schools and addressing climate change. Asked for details, she said, "We got a long opportunity here and I'm just starting."
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
Spencer Cox:
Support driverless vehicles, mass transit
Cox added Utah should be at the forefront of technological changes in transportation, such as driverless vehicles and vehicles
powered by electricity, and said he wants increases in carpooling and mass transit.
Source: Summit County Park Record on 2020 Utah gubernatorial race
Jun 4, 2019
Gary Herbert:
State can set example on green energy
One of the most complex challenges as a result of our growth is our air quality. The state itself is one of Utah's largest employers. So let us lead by example. Because tailpipe emissions are such a big part of the problem, let's reduce the miles driven
by state employees by increasing state employee use of transit and accountable telework. Let's eliminate the dirtiest state vehicles and replace them with Tier 3 and electric automobiles. Let's improve the energy efficiency of State buildings.
We can create incentives for the public to pull aging dirty diesel vehicles off the road; to replace more than 5000 wood burning stoves; and to swap out 25,000 pieces of gasoline-powered yard equipment for battery powered options.
Let's make electric vehicle charging stations more accessible and convenient statewide by providing 300 electric vehicle chargers for public use at state facilities and providing incentives for an additional 800 charging stations at private businesses.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 30, 2019
Spencer Cox:
There's very clear evidence of climate change
On climate: "There's very clear evidence of a climate change--that the climate has been changing for a long time," he said, echoing the climate-science talking points of some Republicans. "Certainly, this feels much more like the new norm when it
comes to fires." Cox lives near the fast-growing Hilltop Fire in Sanpete County and has been monitoring the blaze all week. Utah is limited in any response, he said, because the climate is "global."
Source: KUER 90-1 NPR on 2020 Utah gubernatorial race
Aug 9, 2018
Craig Bowden:
No subsidies for green energy; don't pick winners & losers
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Prioritize green energy"?
A: While that is something I would like to see, I don't believe in subsidizing any industry. It's not the government's job to pick winners or losers.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Utah Senate candidate
Feb 28, 2018
Jenny Wilson:
Promote clean air and clean energy
My to-do list looks like most working parents': walk the dog, drop the kids at school, run errands, schedule appointments, start dinner.
You know the drill. In the Senate, I'll be just as organized as I am in my daily life here in Salt Lake City. Here's what's on my to-do list for DC.
Help me get to Washington and check off every item on the list:Jenny's To-Do List- Work for affordable health care for all Utahns
- Secure funding / find solutions for our opioid crisis
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Work on legislation to promote clean air and clean energy
- Support tax reform that benefits Utahns and small business
- Forge alliances across the aisle so we can find bipartisan solutions
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 Utah Senate race
Feb 8, 2018
Misty Snow:
Directly tax coal, to fund solar and wind
Coal remains the number one source of electricity in this country. In Utah, coal accounts for nearly 80% of the electricity produced in the state. Coal is a significant contributor to the notoriously bad air experienced in places such as Salt Lake
County and Utah County, which are already susceptible to inversions.Furthermore, coal often has high levels of mercury that contaminates our air and our water. This can impact the quality of our drinking water, as well as harming the wildlife that
depend upon Utah's waterways. Some of those same birds and fish are also hunted and fished by local sportsmen, leading to mercury-contaminated fish and poultry ending up on Utahans' dinner plates.
If we want to clean up our water and our air, we need
to start phasing out coal and other polluting sources of energy. The best way to do that is by directly taxing these sources of pollution, and then using those funds to make the investments into cleaner sources of energy like solar and wind.
Source: 2016 Utah Senate campaign website MistyKSnow.com
Aug 8, 2016
Mike Weinholtz:
Foolish to think coal & oil will continue to power the globe
As your governor, I will look out for the needs of all Utahns, not the special interests that tell the legislature and governor what to do.
I also recognize that we need to work with, not against, the energy industry to improve our air while ensuring quality jobs for Utah residents.
We can not and should not walk away coal and oil industries overnight, but it is foolish to think these energy sources will be able to continue to power the globe. Rural Utah in particular stands to play a powerful
role in creating the next generation of energy production if we make the right decisions today. Instead of sending $54 million to California for a coal port, we should be investing in solar and other forms of renewable energy.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
Dan Liljenquist:
Develop our own resources in this country
We should be developing our own resources in this country instead of being dependent on foreign oil, a precarious situation that threatens our national security. Developing Utah's and our nation's vast natural resources is essential to being
self-reliant. We have the capability to be completely independent in our energy resources and we need the ability to move forward on all fronts.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, danforutah.com
May 24, 2012
Gary Herbert:
Utah is energy-independent; now export oil & nuclear
Utah's energy industries create tens of thousands of jobs, and tax revenues from energy-related jobs amounted to over $200 million dollars last year alone. Utah has been abundantly blessed with massive reserves of energy resources. We are a state that is
largely energy independent. In fact, we are a net exporter of electricity. While many other states, and indeed our nation, have compromised or abandoned their energy independence, here in Utah, WE WILL NOT! We simply cannot put the economic fate of futur
generations in peril by relying upon others for our energy needs. Last year I called for the development of a ten-year strategic energy plan for Utah. Our reliance upon traditional fuels is being challenged. Yes, renewable energies such as wind,
solar, and geothermal, will play an expanding and important role. However, the "base load"--the very foundation of Utah's energy-will, most assuredly, be provided by either fossil or nuclear fuels. Every state has to face that simple reality.
Source: 2011 Utah State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2011
Gary Herbert:
Develop natural gas resources while protecting local culture
A much-needed new "state of mind" was recently successfully demonstrated by conservation groups, the Bureau of Land Management, Indian tribes, local governments and oil drilling companies. These groups came together to protect priceless
Indian rock art in Nine Mile Canyon, while still allowing for responsible development of Utah's natural gas resources. This is a prime example of how partnership, combined with leadership, can achieve measurable results for our state.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
Gary Herbert:
No importation of foreign nuclear waste into Utah
Let me be clear: I remain opposed to the importation of foreign nuclear waste into Utah. Certainly, the challenges of being a state with a federally permitted nuclear waste disposal facility are complex and ongoing. My responsibilities on these issues,
on the other hand, are quite simple, and they will not be compromised. As Governor, I will use all available state resources within the law to protect the health, safety and welfare of all Utahns, now and for generations to come.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
Jon Huntsman:
Make Utah the premier destination for renewable energy
If we are going to take air quality seriously, which we must for the sake of the next generation, we must be bold; we must be visionary. Our aspirations should be nothing short of extraordinary.
Just as Wall Street is known for finance and Silicon Valley for technology, by 2012, I believe Utah can become the premier destination in America for renewable energy!
And don't tell me it can't be done!
In just this past year alone, we have witnessed in Utah the opening of a solar farm, a hydroelectric plant, a wind farm and a geothermal plant. To support this energy development, innovation at our higher education campuses is running at an all-time
high, like technologies that will ensure the long-term viability of our abundant natural resources. The University of Utah is now second only to MIT in commercialization of cutting-edge research.
Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address
Jan 27, 2009
Mike Leavitt:
Ban nuclear waste & fuel rods from the state
Let our voices be heard: We do not want high-level nuclear waste here, and we will continue to use every legal, environmental, legislative and political tool available to ban nuclear fuel rods from this state.
I fully endorse the legislation which will outlaw these companies’ use of our resources, keep them from getting services and tax them to the fullest extent allowable under the constitution. There will be no compromise here.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 16, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021