Carbon pricing bill released!
The carbon-pricing / tax-swap bill we've been working on with Rep. Briscoe has been released now. It is HB304 - Fossil Fuels Tax Amendments.
Utah Policy Utah Democrat says the state should start taxing carbon emissions.
We expect to get this fiscal note on Wednesday or Thursday.
The Fact Sheetand Talking Pointshave been updated with the new bill number and title. They will get a further update when the fiscal note comes out.
If you want to geek out on the details, Yoram has written up some great notesabout the specifics of the legislation.
We will meet on Wednesday 2/13 at 9:00with Rep Briscoe to talk about outreach for the bill. That's in room 400 in the Capitol Building, top floor, north side.
More events this week:
Tuesday 2/12, 12:00pm
The Hinkley Institute hosts "The Future of Nuclear Power in Utah"
Hinckley Caucus Room (Gardner Commons) 260 South Central Campus Drive, Suite 2018 Salt Lake City, 84112
Peter Bradford, a former US Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner and former chairman of the New York and Maine utility regulatory commissions, will spotlight the risks of small public utilities' involvement in nuclear plant construction and precautions available to protect customers from unanticipated costs.
Tuesday 2/12, 12:30pm- and every Tuesday afterwards
Action Utah Lobby Days
Utah State Capitol - room B110 (check websitefor location on following weeks)
Action Utah is a great partner for us on climate and clean energy legislation. Join them every Tuesday to learn how to lobby legislators on current bills and participate in activities on Capitol Hill.
Register hereto join any of the lobby days.
Tuesday 2/12, 5:00pm
UAMPS hosts a panel on Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology
Utah State Office Building Auditorium, 350 North State Street, SLC 84114.
Come listen to a panel of local and federal energy experts share their thoughts on nuclear energy and how we can decarbonize our nation's energy portfolio. With Senator Curt Bramble and Dr Laura Nelson, Governor's Energy Advisor.
Free, but registrationis required.
Wednesday 2/13, 11:30 am - and every Wednesday afterwards
League of Women Voters Legislative Lunches
Utah State Capitol - Seagull Room
Bring your lunch to the Seagull Room in the Senate Building to discuss observations from different committee hearings.
Updates to 2019 Climate-Related Legislation:
For a larger list of clean-air legislation, see bill trackers from:
Action Utah
League of Women Voters(now includes HB304!)
Utah Clean Energy
HEAL Utah
Bill: HB304-Fossil Fuels Tax Amendments(Joel Briscoe)
Summary: carbon pricing with 90% of the revenue devoted to tax cuts.
Status:House Rules Committee
Resources:Fact Sheet, Talking Points, Notes, Utah Policy Article
Bill: HCR002- Resolution Supporting Renewable and Sustainable Energy (Patrice Arent and David Hinkins).
Summary: promotes the continued and increased development of renewable energy in rural areas of Utah.
Status:Senate Consent Calendar (passed House, passed Senate Committee)
Resources:Action Utah fact sheet, Action Utah video
Bill: HCR005- Resolution Urging Policies That Reduce Damage from Wildfires (Ray Ward)
Summary: addresses both forest management and climate change.
Status:House Natural Resources Committee
Bill: SCR006- Resolution Supporting Nuclear Reactor Technology (Curt Bramble)
Summary: calls for more zero-carbon electricity generation and acknowledges climate change.
Status:Senate Floor (passed Senate Committee)
Resources:Scott Anderson op-ed
Bill: HB127/ SB146- Sales Tax Exemption Revisions (Joel Briscoe / Derek Kitchen)
Summary: creates a sales tax exemption for an electric energy storage asset.
Status:House / Senate Revenue and Taxation Committees
Bill: Community Renewable Energy Act (Steve Handy)
Summary: will allow Salt Lake City, Summit County, Park City, Moab, and other municipalities who want to contract with Rocky Mountain Power to purchase 100% renewable energy.
Status:In progress
Bill: Energy Production Finance Amendments (Jake Anderegg)
Summary: will give Rocky Mountain Power financial tools to allow them to recover costs if they choose to retire the coal plants early.
Status:In progress
Resources: UtilityDive article, This Green Earth interview with Michael Shea
Clean-Air Legislation with potential climate benefits
Bill: HB295- Vehicle Emissions Reduction Program (Jeff Stenquist)
Summary: takes the dirtiest cars off the road by incentivizing replacement of older, failing vehicles with cleaner vehicles.
Status:House Rules Committee
Bill: HB218- Construction Code Modifications (Mike Schultz)
Summary: updates the building code to improve energy efficiency of buildings
Status:House Floor (passed House Committee)
$100M for air quality programsin Gov. Herbert’s budget. Resources: Salt Lake Tribune article