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Writer's pictureTom Moyer

Climate Utah - 2/11. Carbon pricing bill released!

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

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