Legislation 2018 Session
HCR007 was signed into law,
May 16, 2018.
​This resolution encourages the responsible stewardship of natural resources, reduction of emissions through incentives, and support of the growth in technologies and services that will enlarge the economy. It's highlights are:
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acknowledges Utah's tradition of stewardship, innovation, ingenuity, and problem solving;
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recognizes the need for responsible stewardship and prudent management of natural resources;
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recognizes the impacts of a changing climate on Utah citizens;
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expresses commitment to create and support economically viable and broadly supported solutions;
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encourages the understanding and use of available information to address the causes and effects of changes to our local and regional climates; and
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encourages the reduction of emissions through incentives and the support of growth in technologies and services that enlarge the economy.
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This resolution passed in committee but failed on the House floor.
This resolution supported the development of wind, solar, and geothermal energy in rural areas of the state as a complement to Utah's diversified energy system and supported the export of Utah-produced wind, solar, and geothermal energy to other states. The resolution would have:
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recognized the economic and supply benefits that wind, solar, and geothermal energy development provide;
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recognized the energy market opportunities available to those states that develop wind, solar, and geothermal energy;
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supported the development of wind, solar, and geothermal energy in rural areas of the state as a complement to Utah's diversified energy system; and
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supported the export of Utah-produced wind, solar, and geothermal energy to other states.
This bill was introduced but did not make it to vote in the 2018 session.
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This bi-partisan bill would impose a revenue-neutral carbon emission tax on carbon fuels burned in Utah. The estimated $420 million this tax would raise would reduce taxes in the Beehive State by removing the state sales tax on groceries and other tax credits. It would:
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impose a carbon emissions tax and creates the Carbon Emissions Tax Expendable Revenue Fund;
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eliminate the state sales and use tax on food;
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eliminate the state sales and use tax on residential and commercial fuels;
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enact a refundable state earned income tax credit related to intergenerational poverty;
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create an individual income and corporate franchise tax credit for mining and manufacturing;
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create a sales and use tax exemption for the purchase or lease by a manufacturing facility, and certain mining establishments.
This resolution was tabled in committee.
​This resolution related to global warming and climate change. Highlighted provisions:
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acknowledged that average global temperature and average Utah temperature have increased substantially over recent decades, and that scientific consensus is that a substantial cause for these increases is human-caused emissions; and
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committed the Legislature and Governor to base decisions regarding state energy policies on the best scientific evidence available and urged individuals and corporations to conserve energy.
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